Targetes erecta marigolds with altered carotenoid compositions and ratios

ABSTRACT

A marigold plant, a regenerable portion thereof and seed are disclosed whose flower petals, leaves or flower petals and leaves contain one or more of an enhanced zeaxanthin ratio, an enhanced neoxanthin plus violaxanthin ratio, an enhanced β-carotene ratio, an enhanced α-cryptoxanthin ratio, an enhanced phytoene ratio or an enhanced phytofluene ratio relative to that ratio in a non-mutant marigold. The flower petals of such a plant also typically contain zeta-carotene that is not normally found in such petals. Also disclosed are methods of preparing such plants, oleoresins and comestible materials that have such carotenoid ratios.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from U.S. Serial No. 60/302,460, filed Jun. 29, 2001.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a marigold plant that contains carotenoid pigments present at other than the usual ratios. The invention more particularly relates to a marigold plant, a regenerable portion thereof, a hybrid or later generation whose petals, leaves or both petals and leaves, contain an enhanced ratio of one or more carotenoid compounds relative to lutein, and also seed that produces such a marigold plant, an oleoresin produced from such flowers or leaves and comestible products made using zeaxanthin and lutein. The flower petals of such a contemplated marigold typically also contain a measurable amount of zeta-carotene, a compound not normally found in marigold flower petals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Numerous epidemiological studies in various populations have shown that consumption of substantial amounts of fruits and vegetables rich in carotenoids can reduce the risk of acquiring several types of cancers. As a result, scientists have been focusing on investigating the protective effect of carotenoids such as beta-(β-)carotene in prevention of cancer, cardiovascular and eye diseases. These studies have been carried out despite the fact that β-carotene is only one of the prominent carotenoids found in fruits and vegetables whose consumption has been associated with health benefits. The reasons for such focus can be attributed to the pro-vitamin A activity of β-carotene and the limited commercial availability of other prominent food carotenoids.

Among the 40 to 50 carotenoids that are available from the diet and may be absorbed, metabolized, or utilized by the human body, only 13 carotenoids and 12 of their stereoisomers are routinely found in human serum and milk. [See Khachik et al., Anal. Chem., 69:1873-1881 (1997).] In addition, there are 8 carotenoid metabolites and one stereoisomer in human serum or plasma that result from a series of oxidation-reduction reactions of three dietary carotenoids: lutein, zeaxanthin and lycopene. These metabolites were first isolated and characterized by Khachik et al. [See Khachik et al., Anal. Chem., 64:2111-2122 (1992).]

In another study, the ingestion of purified supplements of dietary (3R,3′R,6′R)-lutein and (3R,3′R)-zeaxanthin was shown to not only result in an increase in the blood levels of these compounds in humans, but also in an increase in the concentration of their oxidative metabolites in plasma. [See Khachik et al., J. Cellular Biochem., 22: 236-246 (1995).] These findings provided preliminary evidence that carotenoids may function as antioxidants in disease prevention. In addition, these results also established the importance of non-vitamin A-active dietary carotenoids, particularly, lutein, zeaxanthin, and lycopene.

There is increasing evidence that the macular pigment carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, may play an important role in the prevention of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), cataract formation, and other light-induced oxidative eye damage. In 1985 and 1993, Bone et al. demonstrated that the human macular pigment is a combination of lutein and zeaxanthin, and speculated that these dietary carotenoids may play a role in the prevention of an eye disease ARMD. [See Bone et al., Vision Research, 25:1531-1535 (1985) and Bone et al., Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., 34: 2033-2040 (1993).] Further work in a case-controlled epidemiological study in which the high consumption of fruits and vegetables, rich specifically in lutein and zeaxanthin was correlated to a 43 percent lower risk of ARMD later confirmed that speculation. [See Seddon et al., J. A. Med. Assoc., 272(18) 1413-1420 (1994).] It has also been reported that an increased level of serum carotenoids other than β-carotene is associated with a lower incidence of heart disease. [See Morris et al., J. Amer. Med. Assoc., 272(18):1439-1441(1994).]

Bernstein et al. identified and quantified the dietary carotenoids and their oxidative metabolites in all tissues of the human eye and reported that nearly all ocular structures examined with the exception of vitreous, cornea and sclera had quantifiable levels of dietary (3R,3′R,6′R)-lutein, zeaxanthin, their geometrical (E/Z) isomers, as well as their metabolites, (3R,3′S,6′R)-lutein (3′-epilutein) and 3-hydroxy-beta,epsilon-caroten-3′-one. In the iris, these pigments were thought likely to play a role in filtering phototoxic short-wavelength visible light and to act as antioxidant in the ciliary body. Both mechanisms may be operative in the retinal pigment epithelium/choroid (RPE/choroids). [See Bernstein et al., Exp. Eye Research, 72(3): 215-223 (2001].]

A study of the distribution of macular pigment stereoisomers in the human retina identified (3S,3′S)-zeaxanthin in the adult retina, particularly in the macula. It was proposed that dietary lutein and zeaxanthin are transported into an individual's retina in the same proportions found in the blood serum, although the two pigments are present in the eye in ratios different from those found in the blood. Thus, zeaxanthin predominates over lutein by a ratio greater than 2:1 in the foveal region, with the macular pigment optical density dropping by a factor of 100 and the zeaxanthin to lutein ratio reversing to about 1:2. [See Bone et al., Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., 29:843-849(1988).] Some lutein is converted into the non-dietary mesozeaxanthin primarily in the macula. [See Bone et al., Exp. Eye Res., 64(2): 211-218 (1997).] Such reports lend support to the critical role of ocular carotenoids, and therefore to the importance of commercial production of dietary carotenoids in general, and particularly lutein and zeaxanthin.

The Tagetes genus is a member of the family Compositae, alternatively known as Asteraceae, and comprises some thirty species of strongly scented annual or perennial herbs. Tagetes are native from Arizona and New Mexico to Argentina. [See Hortus Third A Concise Dictionary of Plants Cultivated in the United States and Canada, MacMillan Publishing Company (1976).] Cultivated genera include Tagetes erecta, commonly referred to as African marigold, Tagetes patula, commonly referred to as French marigold, Tagetes erecta×patula, commonly referred to as Triploid marigolds, and Tagetes tenuifolia also known as Tagetes signata or signet marigold.

A marigold inflorescence is a solitary head comprised of a dense cluster of several hundred sessile or subsessile small flowers also known as florets. Marigolds have radiate flower heads with outer ray florets that are ligulate or strap-shaped around the central tubular shaped disk florets. Some forms of marigold flower heads have most of their disk flowers transformed into ray flowers and contain few, if any, disk flowers. Such flower heads are referred to as double-flowered.

The ray flowers or florets are often referred to as petals by lay persons who may also refer to the flower heads as flowers. For ease of understanding, marigold flower heads will be referred to herein as flowers or flower heads, whereas the flower head-component flowers or florets will be referred to as petals.

Cultivated marigolds possess showy flowers and are useful for ornamental purposes. In addition, the genus is recognized as a source for natural colorants, essential oils, and thiophenes. Dried marigold petals and marigold petal concentrates obtained from so-called xanthophyll marigolds are used as feed additives in the poultry industry to intensify the yellow color of egg yolks and broiler skin. [See Piccalia et al., Ind. Crops and Prod., 8:45-51 (1998).] The carotenoids desired in poultry tissues are a function of their dietary concentration, because poultry do not have the ability to synthesize carotenoids de novo. [See Balnave et al., Asian-Australiasian J. Animal Sci., 9(5): 515-517 (1996).]

Xanthophyll marigolds differ in several characteristics from ornamental marigolds. First and foremost, xanthophyll marigolds are used as an extractable source for carotenoids and have plant habits that differ from ornamental marigolds. Ornamental marigolds typically grow only about 45 to about 60 cm from the ground, whereas xanthophyll marigolds grow to about 65 to about 70 cm from the ground. Xanthophyll marigolds grow in a bushier habit than do ornamental marigolds, and can be grown as row crops whereas ornamental marigolds typically cannot. Xanthophyll marigolds are typically dark orange in color, whereas ornamentals can be white, yellow, or orange in color, or can have mixed colors, including mahogany colors due to the presence of anthocyanin pigments.

The pigmenting ability of marigold petal meal resides largely in the oxygenated carotenoid fraction known as the xanthophylls, primarily lutein esters. [See Piccalia et al., Ind. Crops and Prod., 8:45-51 (1998).] The xanthophyll zeaxanthin, also found in marigold petals, has been shown to be effective as a broiler pigmenter, producing a highly acceptable yellow to yellow-orange color. [See Marusich et al., Poultry Sci., 55:1486-1494 (1976).] Of the xanthophylls, the pigments lutein and zeaxanthin are the most abundant in commercially available hybrids. Structural formulas for lutein and zeaxanthin are shown below.

Each of lutein and zeaxanthin contains one hydroxyl group in each of their terminal ring structures, so that each molecule contains two hydroxyl groups. Lutein is believed to be biologically produced by two separate hydroxylations of α-carotene, whereas zeaxanthin is believed to be biologically produced by two separate hydroxylations of β-carotene. Both α-carotene and β-carotene are understood to be formed by the action of appropriate cyclase enzymes on γ-carotene, which itself is formed by cyclization of lycopene. Lycopene, γ-carotene, α-carotene and β-carotene are each hydrocarbon carotenoids.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of the biological synthesis pathway for the production of lutein and zeaxanthin and later products from phytoene, the first C₄₀ carotenoid in the pathway. Lutein and zeaxanthin are present in marigold petals primarily as mono- and di-esters of fatty acids. FIG. 1 also notes epoxide-containing later products that can arise from zeaxanthin, of which violaxanthin is an intermediate in the abscisic acid biosynthetic pathway.

For the feed additive industry, xanthophyll marigolds are produced primarily in Mexico, Peru, Africa, India, China and Thailand. Modern, commercial varieties include ‘Orangeade’, one of the original xanthophyll producing varieties, and commercial improvements of ‘Orangeade’, including ‘Deep Orangeade’ having larger flowers and greater pigment yields, and ‘Scarletade’ an improvement for xanthophyll concentration. Thus, ‘Orangeade’ is reported to contain xanthophylls at about 9-12 mg/g of dry whole flower heads (including calyx), ‘Deep Orangeade’ is reported to have about 10-13 mg/g of those pigments, and ‘Scarletade’ is said to contain about 12-18 mg/g of xanthophyll pigments in dry flower heads weighed with the calyx. These varieties are available from PanAmerican Seed Co., 622 Town Road, West Chicago, Ill. 60185.

Whereas lutein is the major xanthophyll in marigold flowers, some current varieties yield extract products with zeaxanthin ratios [zeaxanthin/(lutein+zeaxanthin)] typically in the 3 to 5 percent range (See Product Profile, Kemin Foods L.C., 600 E. Court Ave. Suite A, Des Moines, Iowa 50309). As is seen from the results hereinafter, zeaxanthin to lutein ratios obtained using ‘Scarletade’ are typically about 4 to about 7 percent.

Moehs et al., Plant Mol. Biol., 45:281-293 (2001) analyzed the biosynthesis of carotenoids in ornamental varieties of T. erecta, including a so-called wild type that had dark orange flowers, and plants with yellow, pale yellow and white flowers. Among other findings, those workers reported that although the different plants had a range in flower color from white to dark orange, the differences in those flower colors were said to be due to the accumulation of very different amounts of the same carotenoid, lutein, rather than to accumulation of different carotenoid products or intermediates. The differences among the plants studied appeared to relate primarily to regulation of flux through the carotenoid pathway, rather than to the specific type of carotenoid produced or the accumulation of biosynthetic intermediates.

In addition, the so-called wild-type and mutant leaves were reported to contain about the same quantity of carotenoid pigments, regardless of flower color. Those pigments were different from the pigments present in the petals. Thus, the only pigment reported for petals was lutein, whereas the leaves were reported to contain lutein as well as β-carotene, violaxanthin and neoxanthin. As is seen from FIG. 1, β-carotene but not lutein can be a precursor to the latter two pigments.

The Moehs et al., authors also compared the T. erecta genes they isolated with similar carotenoid-producing genes obtained from the leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana (Pogson et al., hereinafter). Identities between the gene products of about 70 to about 80 percent were reported at the protein level, with a higher level if putative plastid targeting signal peptides were excluded, and a lower level of identity at the DNA level. In leaves of A. thaliana, lutein is the predominant carotenoid, with β-carotene, violaxanthin and neoxanthin also being formed, but no zeaxanthin being normally accumulated.

Carotenoid biosynthesis in T. erecta is a complex system involving many genes and possibly two pathways. The impact of genetic mutations on carotenoid production cannot be predicted a priori. However, classic breeding techniques have produced ‘Orangeade’, ‘Deep Orangeade’ and ‘Scarletade’ T. erecta variants that produce the elevated levels of xanthophylls noted above. These relatively recently bred available varieties have not been subject to treatments that induce genetic mutations in an attempt to increase the zeaxanthin ratios.

Several workers have examined the effects of mutagens such as gamma irradiation, ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) and nitrosomethylurea (NMU) on flowering plants, including marigolds. For example, Zaharia et al., Buletinul Institutului Agronomic Cluj-Napoca. Seria Agricultura 44(1): 107-114 (1991) reported on the chlorophyll-deficient effects of carotenoids in the coleoptile after seeds of Zinnia elegans, Tagetes erecta and Callistephus chinensis were irradiated with gamma irradiation in varying amounts. A paper by Geetha et al., Acta Botanica Indica, 20(2):312-314 (1992) reports on the chlorophyll deficient effects of gamma irradiation on Tagetes patula.

Diaconu, Agronomie, 34(1):17-21 (1991) reported on the effects of EMS on germinating seeds from F₂ polycrosses of commonly-called pot marigolds, or Calendula, that are not even of the genus Tagetes. Those workers noted a wide variation in flower color, inflorescence structure, yield and content of biologically-active substances in M₂-M₄ plants.

A study by Pogson et al., Plant Cell, 8:1627-1639 (1996) used EMS to mutagenize plants of Arabidopsis thaliana. This detailed study of 4000 M₂ lines reported finding two loci in the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway in leaves that are involved with the production of lutein from γ-carotene. Those loci were referred to as lut1 and lut2. The lut2 locus was reported to be associated with the lycopene ε-ring cyclase enzyme, whereas the lut1 locus was reported to be associated with the lycopene ε-ring hydroxylase. Those workers noted (page 1631) that a decrease in lutein production was compensated for by an equimolar change in the abundance of other carotenoids, although only small amounts of those changes were due to an increased production of zeaxanthin.

Cetl et al., Folia Fac. Sci. Nat. Univ. Purkynianae Brun Biol., 21(1):5-56 (1980)reported extensive studies with T. erecta and other Tagetes species that from the meager descriptions appeared to all be ornamental varieties. Among those studies, those authors examined the effects of various concentrations of NMU on T. erecta seeds, and examined more than about 2000 plants. All M₂ plants deviating from the phenotype of the parental cross were recorded, and M₃ plants from M₂ seeds of the phenotypically different plants were studied.

Those workers assayed plant height, plant diameter, flower head diameter and height of the flower head, as well as time to flowering, branching amount, branch length, cotyledon and leaf size, and flower stalk length. No mention is made regarding flower color or carotenoid levels in the leaves or petals.

Published PCT application WO 00/32788 of DellaPenna et al. asserts of a method of regulating carotenoid biosynthesis in marigolds. Those workers provide polynucleotide sequences said to be those that encode the lycopene β-ring cyclase and lycopene β-ring hydroxylase needed for the preparation of zeaxanthin from lycopene. Also disclosed is a lycopene ε-ring cyclase useful along with the lycopene β-ring cyclase for the preparation of α-carotene from lycopene. No teaching of the lycopene ε-ring hydroxylase needed for lutein production is provided.

Carotenoid biosynthesis is said to be regulated in PCT application WO 00/32788 by expression of a carotenoid synthesizing enzyme-encoding gene already present in marigolds such as those noted above, or by use of an anti-sense RNA encoded by such a nucleotide sequence provided. No evidence of such regulation is provided in the application. The phenomenon known as co-suppression by which the addition of a homologous gene causes both the native gene and transgene not to be expressed is not dealt with by those workers. [See for example, Fray et al., Plant Mol. Biol., 22:589-692 (1993) or Finnegan et al., Bio/Technology, 12:883-888 (September 1994).]

An increased ratio of zeaxanthin to lutein can also provide an attractive substrate for biotechnological production of additional xanthophylls including the red xanthophyll, astaxanthin. Astaxanthin is widely used as a pigmenting agent for cultured fishes and shellfishes. The complete biomedical properties of astaxanthin remain to be elucidated, but initial results suggest that it could play an important role in cancer and tumor prevention, as well as eliciting a positive response from the immune system. [See Tanaka et al., Carcinogenesis 15(1):15-19 (1994); Jyonouchi et al., Nutrition and Cancer 19(3):269-280 (1993) and Jyonouchi et al., Nutrition and Cancer 16(2): 93-105 (1991).]

Astaxanthin supplied from biological sources, such as crustaceans, yeast and green algae is limited by low yield and costly extraction methods when compared with that obtained by organic synthetic methods. Usual synthetic methods however, produce by-products that can be considered unacceptable. It is therefore desirable to find a relatively inexpensive source of (3S,3′S) astaxanthin to be used as a feed supplement in aquaculture and as a valuable chemical for other industrial uses.

One approach to increase the productivity of astaxanthin production in a biological system is to use genetic engineering technology. Genes suitable for this conversion have been reported.

For example, Misawa et al. (See U.S. Pat. No. 6,150,130) specified DNA sequences including one isolated from the marine bacteria Agrobacterium aurantiacus sp. nov. MK1 or Alcaligenes sp. PC-1 that encodes a gene, referred to as crtW, used in the production of astaxanthin from zeaxanthin as a substrate by way of 4-ketozeaxanthin. Kajiwara et al. (See U.S. Pat. No. 5,910,433) identified a polynucleotide molecule, referred to as bkt, isolated from Haematococcus pluvialis that encodes a polypeptide having a beta-C-4-oxygenase activity for the production of (3S,3′S)astaxanthin from a host microorganism or a plant. In addition, Hirschberg et al. (See U.S. Pat. No. 5,965,795) described another DNA gene sequence from Haematococcus pluvialis, referred to as crtO, that encodes an enzyme that synthesizes astaxanthin from zeaxanthin by way of 4-ketozeaxanthin. Still further, Cunningham (See WO 99/61652) reported isolation of a DNA that encodes a protein having ketolase enzyme activity from Adonis aestivalis, a plant species having deep red flower color due in part to the accumulation of the ketocarotenoid astaxanthin.

It would therefore be useful if a marigold plant could be provided whose flower petals or leaves or both contain a commercially useful amount of xanthophylls and an altered ratio of lutein and zeaxanthin such that the usually reported 4 to about 7 percent zeaxanthin level were raised and the amount of lutein were decreased. It would also be useful if the ratios of other pigments could also be raised, and if such a plant had substantially the same phenotypical characteristics as a usual marigold plant grown adjacent to it. The present invention provides several such plants, flower petals, leaves, seed that produce them, hybrids, oleoresins, mixtures of zeaxanthin and lutein, and comestible materials containing zeaxanthin, lutein, α-cryptoxanthin, antheraxanthin, neoxanthin and violaxanthin, and β-carotene dissolved or dispersed in a comestible medium.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention contemplates marigold plants whose petals, leaves or both flower petals and leaves contain one or more of an enhanced zeaxanthin ratio, an enhanced neoxanthin plus violaxanthin ratio, an enhanced β-carotene ratio, an enhanced α-cryptoxanthin ratio an enhanced phytoene ratio or an enhanced phytofluene ratio compared to such a ratio present in a non-mutant marigold. In addition, the flower petals typically contain a measurable amount of zeta-carotene (ζ-carotene), whereas that compound is not measurable; i.e., is present at less than 0.1 percent, in the petals of a non-mutant marigold plant.

A stated ratio is determined as a percentage of the first-named pigment divided by the sum of the percentages of that pigment and lutein as determined by chromatographic techniques discussed hereinafter. Thus, the zeaxanthin ratio is illustratively defined herein as zeaxanthin/(zeaxanthin+lutein).

Preferably the petals, leaves or both the petals and leaves of such a plant at least exhibits a zeaxanthin ratio greater than about 1:10, preferably greater than about 2:10, up to about 1.0. That ratio can be up to one because lutein cannot be detected in some leaves. In some embodiments, the flower from which the petals are taken has a xanthophyll content of about 4 to about 25 mg/g dry weight, whereas in other plants the petal xanthophyll content can be lower. The xanthophyll content of leaves is typically about 0.5 to about 1.25 mg/g dry weight. The flower petals and leaves are typically present in comminuted form.

The plant that produced the desired petals and leaves is a mutant whose phenotype except as to carotenoids can be substantially the same as that of an adjacently-grown non-mutant plant, or that phenotype can be different. In one aspect, a contemplated marigold plant is a hybrid between another contemplated mutant plant and a non-mutant in which the non-mutant plant is a hybrid neither of whose parents are mutants.

Another aspect of the invention contemplates a marigold plant, or a regenerable portion thereof, whose flower petals or leaves or both contain one or more of an enhanced zeaxanthin ratio, an enhanced neoxanthin plus violaxanthin ratio, an enhanced β-carotene ratio, an enhanced α-cryptoxanthin ratio, an enhanced phytoene ratio or an enhanced phytofluene ratio and preferably at least a zeaxanthin ratio that is greater than about 1:10, preferably greater than about 2:10, and up to about 1.0. The petals of a contemplated plant typically contain a measurable amount of zeta-carotene, as discussed before.

A contemplated plant in one embodiment is a hybrid or later generation hybrid. A contemplated marigold plant of one aspect contains an amount of xanthophylls, measured as the saponified pigments extractable from the flowers that is about 4 to about 25 grams per kilogram of dry flowers or about 4 to about 25 mg/g dry weight. A contemplated marigold of another aspect contains a lesser xanthophyll content. The pollen and an ovule of such a plant are separately contemplated. The regenerable portion of such a contemplated plant comprises cells that include embryos, meristems, pollen, leaves, anthers, roots, root tips, and flowers, or protoplasts or callus derived therefrom.

Another embodiment contemplates a seed that on planting in a suitable environment and growth to maturity yields a marigold plant whose flower petals or leaves or both contain one or more of an enhanced zeaxanthin ratio, an enhanced neoxanthin plus violaxanthin ratio, an enhanced β-carotene ratio, an enhanced α-cryptoxanthin ratio, an enhanced phytoene ratio or an enhanced phytofluene ratio and preferably at least a zeaxanthin ratio that is greater than about 1:10, preferably greater than about 2:10, and up to about 1.0. The petals of a contemplated plant again typically contain a measurable amount of zeta-carotene, typically at least 1 percent or more, as discussed before.

A mutant marigold plant oleoresin having one or more of an enhanced zeaxanthin ratio, an enhanced neoxanthin plus violaxanthin ratio, an enhanced β-carotene ratio, an enhanced α-cryptoxanthin ratio, an enhanced phytoene ratio or an enhanced phytofluene ratio relative to an oleoresin from a non-mutant marigold, and preferably at least a zeaxanthin ratio that is greater than about 1:10, preferably greater than about 2:10, and up to about 1.0, is also contemplated. A contemplated oleoresin also usually contains a measurable amount of zeta-carotene, as discussed before.

A composition suitable for use as a food or feed supplement is also contemplated. The food or feed supplement comprises a mixture of zeaxanthin and lutein fatty acid esters dissolved or dispersed in a comestible medium, wherein the zeaxanthin ratio is greater than about 1:10, preferably greater than about 2:10, and up to about 1.0. Another composition suitable for use as a food or feed supplement comprises zeaxanthin and lutein dissolved or dispersed in a comestible medium, wherein the zeaxanthin ratio is greater than about 1:10, preferably greater than about 2:10, and up to about 1.0.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In the drawings forming a part of this disclosure,

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the biological synthesis pathway for the production of lutein and zeaxanthin in plants in which phytoene, the first C₄₀ carotenoid in the pathway, is converted in several steps (four arrows) to lycopene and then the γ-carotene that contains one β-ring, after which the pathway splits to form α-carotene that contains one ε-ring and one β-ring or β-carotene that contains two β-rings, and after several steps, to lutein or zeaxanthin, respectively, and the zeaxanthin branch continuing to the epoxide-containing xanthophylls antheraxanthin, violaxanthin and neoxanthin.

As used herein, the term “zeaxanthin ratio” is defined as the quantity of zeaxanthin present in a dried flower petal or leaf divided by the quantity of zeaxanthin plus lutein [zeaxanthin/(lutein+zeaxanthin)] present in that petal or leaf. The “neoxanthin plus violaxanthin ratio” is similarly calculated as the ratio of neoxanthin+violaxanthin divided by the sum of those two pigments plus lutein. The “β-carotene ratio”, the “α-cryptoxanthin ratio”, the “phytoene ratio” and the “phytofluene ratio” are similarly calculated using the appropriate pigment amount as the numerator and the sum of either pigment plus lutein as the denominator. Those pigment quantities are determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after saponification of a dried flower petal or leaf extract as discussed hereinafter so that the amount of each of lutein and zeaxanthin (or other pigment) is measured in the free compound form, e.g., alcohol form for lutein and zeaxanthin, present after saponification rather than in the esterified form that is present in the fresh flower petal, and chlorophyll that may be present in a leaf extract is destroyed.

The word “oleoresin” is used herein to mean an extract of plant tissues that contains plant pigments such as the xanthophylls discussed herein in their esterified forms, sometimes accompanied by amounts of other plant products and pigments such as other carotenoids such as β-carotene, as well as small amounts of solvent such as hexane or acetone, typically less than 1 percent organic solvent. Xanthophylls are typically present as mono- or diesters in flower petals and are typically present as free alcohols in marigold leaves. Carotenes such as β-carotene or lycopene are present as free, non-chemically-combined compounds. Chlorophyll is present in marigold leaves and largely absent in the petals. Thus, an oleoresin prepared from flower petals contains xanthophyll esters and is largely free of chlorophyll, whereas an oleoresin prepared from marigold leaves contains chlorophyll and free xanthophylls. Both chlorophyll and xanthophyll esters are decomposed by saponification of the oleoresin. A contemplated oleoresin is a solid or semi-solid material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention contemplates marigold plants, seeds, flower petals, leaves and materials that can be prepared therefrom. A contemplated plant additionally has flower petals, leaves or both that contain an enhanced carotenoid ratio as compared to previously known marigold plants. The petals and/or leaves of a contemplated plant thus contain one or more of an enhanced zeaxanthin ratio, an enhanced neoxanthin plus violaxanthin ratio, an enhanced β-carotene ratio, an enhanced α-cryptoxanthin ratio, an enhanced phytoene ratio or an enhanced phytofluene ratio. The leaves of a contemplated plant can be free of lutein. These contemplated marigold plants are T. erecta, as compared to T. patula or T. tenuifolia, or other Tagetes species. In addition, a contemplated plant can be a xanthophyll marigold, as such plants have been described before and are understood by workers of skill in this art.

The usual ratio of zeaxanthin to zeaxanthin+lutein in marigold petals is on the order of about 1:15 to about 1:25, so that when only zeaxanthin and lutein amounts are used for calculations, zeaxanthin is about 5 to about 7 percent of the amount of lutein plus zeaxanthin. An article by Quackenbush et al., J. Assoc. Off. Agri. Chem., 55:617-621 (1972) reported a zeaxanthin to lutein ratio in one group of American yellow T. erecta marigold flower petals that was unusually high at about 1:4.4, whereas the total concentration of xanthophylls in those petals was unusually low at about 0.4 mg/g dry weight. A Mexican variety was said by those authors to contain 11.1 percent zeaxanthin when lyophilized petals were assayed and 3.8 percent when fresh petals were assayed. The higher value is not in keeping with the remainder of the data and is believed to be incorrect. The preferred zeaxanthin ratio in petals contemplated here is even larger, being greater than about 1:10 and preferably greater than about 2:10, as will be discussed hereinbelow, and the amount of petal xanthophylls is preferably at least about 4 mg/g dry weight.

A contemplated marigold plant has flower petals that contain a zeaxanthin ratio greater than about 1:10 and preferably greater than about 2:10. More preferably still, a contemplated marigold plant has flower petals that contain a zeaxanthin ratio greater than about 3:10. Most preferably, that ratio is greater than 5:10, and can be about 1.0. The flower from which the petals are taken has a xanthophyll content of about 4 to about 25 mg/g dry weight, and preferably about 10 to about 20 mg/g dry weight. Such a marigold plant also preferably has leaves that contain a zeaxanthin ratio greater than about 1:10 and preferably greater than about 2:10. More preferably still, a contemplated marigold plant has leaves that contain a zeaxanthin ratio greater than about 3:10. Most preferably, that ratio is greater than 5:10, and can be about 1.0. The contemplated leaves have a xanthophyll content of about 0.2 to about 1.25 mg/g dry weight, and preferably about 0.5 to about 1 mg/g dry weight.

In some embodiments, the lutein concentration of the petals of a contemplated plant contain about 80 to about 90 percent of the lutein present in a parental, non-mutant plant. In other embodiments, the amount of lutein is less than about 75 percent of that present in a non-mutant plant. In still further embodiments, the amount of lutein present in the flower petals is less than about 15 percent of that present in the petals of a non-mutant marigold plant.

A contemplated marigold can also exhibit differences in ratios of one or more other pigments relative to lutein. Thus, the neoxanthin plus violaxanthin ratio in a parental plant can be about 0.01 to about 0.022 for a non-mutant petal extract and about 0.17 to about 0.33 in leaves. That ratio in contemplated mutant plant petals and leaves of one preferred embodiment is about 1:5 (0.2) to about 1:1 (1). Neoxanthin and violaxanthin are measured together as they are difficult to separate chromatographically.

The β-carotene ratio in non-mutant plants is typically about less than 0.007 for flower petals and about 0.3 to about 0.4 for leaves. That ratio is about 0.05 to about 0.9 for flower petals and about one for leaves of mutant marigold plants.

α-Cryptoxanthin typically constitutes less than one percent of colored carotenoids of non-mutant plant petals and the α-cryptoxanthin ratio is consequently about 0.01 in non-mutant flower petals. The α-cryptoxanthin ratio is about 0.25 to about 0.9 in the petals of some preferred mutated plants.

Phytoene can be present in petals at about 3 to about 0.3 percent of the carotenoids in non-mutant plants and can be present in at about 35 percent in some mutant flower petals that typically contain a reduced amount of lutein. Exemplary phytoene ratios can be from about 0.3 to about 1 in a contemplated plant as compared to phytoene ratios of about 0.003 to about 0.03 in non-mutant plants. Phytoene concentrations are largely unchanged in leaves of mutant plants as compared to non-mutant plant leaves.

Phytofluene amounts in non-mutant plant petals are typically about the same as those observed for phytoene, whereas the amount present in the petals of a contemplated mutant plant is generally about 40 to about 70 percent of the phytoene amount. The phytofluene ratio for a non-mutant plant is usually about 0.005 to about 0.03, whereas that ratio for a contemplated mutant plant is about 0.2 to about 1. Phytofluene has not been observed in leaf extracts.

The enhancements observed in the above ratios are typically at least about two-fold. In particular embodiments, a ratio can be enhanced by about ten- to about one hundred-fold.

The petals or leaves or both of a particular plant can have one or more of the above-recited enhanced ratios. In usual practice, two or more of the before-described enhanced ratios are present. Thus, for example, the zeaxanthin ratio and the β-carotene ratio can be enhanced, or the zeaxanthin ratio and the neoxanthin plus violaxanthin ratio can be enhanced. Similarly, three or more of the ratios can be elevated.

α-Cryptoxanthin is a particularly interesting compound in that it has been found to be present in relatively high levels in a number of mutants and is not otherwise readily available. Thus, α-cryptoxanthin was present at about 20 to about 40 percent of colored carotenoids in some mutants. The α-cryptoxanthin ratio of such plants was consequently greatly enhanced as compared to those plants whose petals contained more usual amounts of carotenoids.

The petals of a contemplated plant typically contain a measurable amount of zeta-carotene (ζ-carotene), whereas that pigment is not present in a measurable amount; i.e., present at less than 0.1 percent, in the petals of a non-mutant marigold plant. Typically, zeta-carotene is present in an amount of at least about 1 percent of the petal carotenoids. That amount of zeta-carotene can be in the range of about 3 to about 7 percent in some embodiments, and at about 20 percent in other embodiments.

As already noted, xanthophylls such as lutein and zeaxanthin are present in flower petals primarily as mono- or diesters of fatty acids such as lauric, myristic, palmitic, stearic, oleic or the like, rather than as free compounds. As such, when a zeaxanthin or other xanthophyll ratio is discussed herein, that ratio is determined by extracting one or more flower petals with hexane or other appropriate solvent to obtain a composition such as an oleoresin comprised of esterified xanthophylls. That composition is then saponified using a base such as potassium hydroxide to cleave the esters and form free carotenoid alcohols. The free carotenoid xanthophyll alcohols are thereafter separated from the saponification reaction mixture and separated as desired using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The ratios of materials present are determined by the areas under the appropriate HPLC peaks using standard methods of integration.

The analytical method utilized herein to determine the pigment ratios is exemplified hereinafter, and provides similar results to those published by others, with different specific techniques being used by different laboratories largely for reasons of convenience. Using the procedure preferred here, flowers approximately 98 percent fully opened are selected for analysis. Petals are removed about one-third of the distance from the flower center from the selected flowers.

Leaves can be harvested and extracted at substantially any time. Xanthophylls are typically present as free compounds in leaves as are carotenes. Chlorophyll present in leaves is also extracted with the carotenoid pigments so assays are carried out after saponification of the extract as that treatment destroys chlorophyll. Leaves are assayed for carotenoid content as are the petals.

A standard analytical method used in the industry for determining carotenoid levels in plant extracts is that of the AOAC 1984, Official Methods of Analysis (14^(th) ed), the Association of Official Analytical Chemists, Arlington, Va., USA, the results of whose assays are similar to those obtained herein.

A contemplated marigold plant is a mutant of a parental line. That is, a first line or cross or seed is treated with a mutagen (mutagenized) to provide a mutagenized plant that is typically self-pollinated (selfed) one or more times. A plant contemplated herein can arise from the mutagenesis itself, from one of the selfings or from a cross of a mutagenized plant or offspring with another mutagenized or non-mutagenized plant.

Substantially any kind of mutagen can be used to produce a contemplated plant, and exemplary mutagens are discussed hereinafter. Although some contemplated mutant marigolds have a phenotype that is substantially different from that of adjacently-grown non-mutant marigold parental plant, other contemplated mutants exhibit substantially the same phenotype as that of an adjacently-grown non-mutant parental plant, except for phenotypic traits related to carotenoids. More specifically for the latter plants, when one compares plant properties such as plant height, plant diameter, flower head diameter, flower head height, time to flowering, branching amount, length of branches, flower stalk length, hypocotyl length, cotyledon length and cotyledon width between a parent and a mutant plant, the values of those properties for some contemplated mutant plants are each within about 90 percent of those of the parental plant, including the standard deviations in the measurements. More preferably, the values for those properties of the mutant are within about 95 percent of the parent, and most preferably, the values are the same, within the standard deviation. On the other hand, other mutant plants differ greatly in one or more phenotypic traits.

A carotenoid-related phenotypic difference between the parental and mutant plants is the quantity of xanthophyll pigment that can be obtained from the flowers of the mutant. Parental plants such as ‘Scarletade’ or ‘Deep Orangeade’ typically have about 10 to about 18 mg/g dry whole flower head weight of extractable xanthophyll pigments. A contemplated mutant plant preferably contains about the same amount of carotenoid in the flower petals, but can contain as little as about 4 mg/g dry weight, particularly where the ratio of zeaxanthin to lutein is very high such as about 9:1 or greater.

The leaves of a contemplated marigold can also exhibit a phenotypic difference between the parental and mutant plants as to the carotenoid content as well as one or more of the before-discussed carotenoid ratios present in the leaves as measured in a saponified oleoresin. The previously noted paper of Moehs et al., Plant Mol. Biol., 45:281-293 (2001) reported that leaf carotenoid ratios and contents were constant, whereas carotenoid concentration in the petals differed. Here, it is found that one or more of the before-mentioned zeaxanthin ratio, antheraxanthin ratio, neoxanthin plus violaxanthin ratio, phytoene ratio, phytofluene ratio, β-carotene ratio and α-cryptoxanthin ratio in mutant plants differed considerably from parental non-mutant plants. In addition, the petals of each of the mutant plants examined exhibited a measurable amount of zeta-carotene, whereas no measurable amount zeta-carotene was observed to be present in the parental non-mutant plants.

Phenotypic comparisons are made between adjacently-grown plants. As used herein, the term “adjacently-grown” is used to mean plants grown under as similar conditions of light, heat, growth medium, humidity and nutrients as can be achieved so that growth conditions do not govern the phenotype. For greenhouse-grown plants, “adjacently-grown” means plants grown under conditions as similar as possible on the same bench. For field-grown plants, “adjacently-grown” means plants grown under conditions as similar as possible in the same or adjoining fields.

Mutagenic agents useful for altering plants are well known in the art, as are methods of using such agents. Exemplary chemical mutagens include nitrosomethylurea (NMU), ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS), methyl methanesulfonate, diethyl sulfate, nitrosoguanidine, and ethylnitrosourea of which EMS is preferred herein. NMU can be used as discussed in Cetl et al., Folia Fac. Sci. Nat. Univ. Purkynianae Brun. Biol., 21(1): 5-56 (1980), whereas EMS is typically utilized at about 0.25 to about 1 percent by volume (v/v), and preferably at about 0.2 to about 0.8 percent. Gamma irradiation is also a useful mutagenic agent when used to irradiate seeds at a dose of 200 to about 20,000 rads (0.2 to about 20 krads).

Regardless of the mutagen used, the phenotype of the resulting mutant plant, including carotenoid-related traits such as the zeaxanthin ratio and the amount of xanthophylls in the petals, is usually substantially identical to that of the parent, so that a very large percentage of the mutants obtained are not useful. In addition, plants seeming to have the same phenotype as the parent need to be screened to locate a desired mutant plant. Those screenings, although tedious, are routinely carried out and involve analysis of carotenoid pigments from one or more single flower petals or leaves or both. Thus, the preparation of a desired mutant is a relatively rare, but repeatable event. For example, in one study herein, only twenty-three useful mutants were obtained from almost 22,000 mutant plants examined. In another study, about twenty-four useful mutants out of about 8,200 examined plants were obtained.

As already noted, a contemplated plant can be a plant that grows from the mutagenized seed or can be a selfing or cross. In one preferred embodiment, a contemplated marigold is a hybrid formed by crossing the flowers of two plants that arose from two different mutagenized plants from independent M₁ plants (M₂×M₂). In another embodiment, a contemplated marigold is a hybrid formed by crossing the flowers of one plant that arose from one mutagenized plant with a non-mutagenized plant. In still another embodiment, a contemplated plant is a hybrid formed by back-crossing a hybrid with one or the other of its immediate parental flowers. The product of the crossing of two different hybrid plants is contemplated as is the product of the selfing of a hybrid.

The present invention also contemplates the pollen and an ovule of a contemplated plant. The regenerable portion of a contemplated plant is also itself contemplated and includes cells selected from the group consisting of embryos, meristems, pollen, leaves, anthers, roots, root tips, and flowers, or protoplasts or callus derived therefrom. Methods for regenerating plants from cells are well known to those skilled in the art, and dicotyledonous plants such as marigolds are particularly amenable to such regeneration.

A marigold oleoresin comprised of fatty acid esters of lutein and zeaxanthin in which the zeaxanthin ratio is greater than about 1:10 and preferably greater than about 2:10 is also contemplated. More preferably, that ratio is greater than about 3:10 and is most preferably about 1.0. A contemplated marigold oleoresin contains a zeaxanthin ratio as is present in the petals or leaves of a contemplated marigold as discussed before. Oleoresins are items of commerce and are sold to processers for further treatment in the production of human or other animal food or feed supplements. A contemplated oleoresin also typically contains a measurable amount of zeta-carotene.

In an illustrative marigold oleoresin preparation, xanthophyll esters; i.e., zeaxanthin or mixture of zeaxanthin and lutein esters and possibly other xanthophyll esters and carotenes such as zeta-carotene, are extracted from dried marigold flowers with hexane, acetone, ethyl acetate, toluene, tetrahydrofuran (THF) and the like organic solvent, or a mixture thereof. The extraction is carried out according to procedures known in the art. The solvent(s) is removed, resulting in an extract that typically contains a high level of the xanthophyll esters and is about 99 percent and preferably about 99.9 percent free of the extracting organic solvent; i.e., contains less than about 1 percent and preferably less than about 0.1 percent organic solvent by weight. The resulting solvent-free extract is referred to as a marigold oleoresin. A leaf extract is similarly prepared, and contains free xanthophylls, carotenes and chlorophyll.

A composition suitable for use as a food or feed supplement for human or other animals such as poultry like chickens and turkeys, fish like trout and salmon and crustaceans like shrimp, lobsters and crabs is also contemplated. A contemplated food or feed supplement can be used to provide color to the skin and fat of those animals as well as to the egg yolks of such animals, and particularly chickens.

One food or feed supplement comprises a mixture of fatty acid esters of zeaxanthin alone or zeaxanthin, lutein and other carotenoids as are present in a marigold oleoresin. That mixture of mostly fatty acid esters is dissolved or dispersed in a comestible medium, wherein the zeaxanthin and lutein fatty acid esters are present at a zeaxanthin ratio that is greater than about 1:10, preferably greater than about 2:10, more preferably greater than about 3:10, and up to about 1.0. This food or feed supplement can thus be prepared by suitable purification of a before-described oleoresin as by dissolution and filtration, followed by dissolution or dispersion of the purified mixed esters in an appropriate comestible medium.

In some embodiments, the comestible medium is an edible triglyceride oil, whereas in other embodiments the comestible medium is a binding agent such as is frequently found in pharmaceutical products such as pills and tablets (a pharmaceutically acceptable binding agent). For tablets or capsules, the xanthophyll ester content of the admixture measured as free xanthophyll is typically about 0.1 to about 25 milligrams per tablet or capsule, and more usually about 5 to about 20 milligrams per tablet or capsule.

Binding agents and adhesives preferably impart sufficient cohesion to solids to permit normal processing such as sizing, lubrication, compression and packaging, but still permit a tablet or capsule to disintegrate and the composition to dissolve upon ingestion. Exemplary binding agents include lactose monohydrate, acacia, tragacanth, sucrose, gelatin, glucose, cellulose or saccharide materials such as, but not limited to, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), hydroxypropyl cellulose (Klucel™), ethyl cellulose (Ethocel™), methyl cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (e.g., Tylose™), pregelatinized starch (such as National™ 1511 and Starch 1500), polysaccharide acids, alginic acid and salts of alginic acid, magnesium aluminum silicate, polyethylene glycol, guar gum, bentonites, polyvinylpyrrolidone (povidone), and polymethacrylates.

Exemplary edible oils include candelilia, coconut, cod liver, cotton seed, menhaden, olive, palm, corn, soybean, peanut, poppy seed, safflower and sunflower oil. The use of an oil having a relatively high concentration of unsaturated fatty acids is preferred; i.e., the use of an oil having an iodine value of about 100-150 is preferred. The admixture is typically carried out using a high shear mixing apparatus, as is well known. Co-solvents and additives such as ethanol and α-tocopherol, respectively, can also be present as is noted in U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,714.

In another embodiment, the mixture of zeaxanthin and lutein, zeaxanthin alone, or other carotenoid mixture is provided in the form of generally spherical small pellets containing 0.5 to about 20 percent, and preferably about 1 to about 4 percent, of the xanthophyll that are conventionally referred to as “beadlets”. These beadlets can be used admixed in a desired amount into human food such as ready to eat cereals as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,270,063 or admixed into chicken or other animal feed as are the beadlets or other particles disclosed for the feed additive in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,849,345, 5,695,794, 5,605,699 and 5,043,170.

Exemplary beadlets are water-insoluble and are prepared by encapsulation of a xanthophyll composition by cross-linked gelatin or an alginate such as sodium alginate as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,670,247. A water insoluble beadlet containing the desired carotenoid(s) is prepared by forming an emulsion containing the carotenoid(s), water, gelatin, and a sugar. The emulsion is converted into droplets that are individually collected in a mass of starchy powder in such a manner that the particles from the droplets are kept separated from each other until their particulate form is permanently established. The carotenoid-containing particles are separated from the starchy collecting powder, and heat-treated at a temperature of about 90° C. to about 180° C. The heat treatment step insolubilizes the gelatin matrix of the beadlet by a reaction between the carbonyl group of the sugar with the free amino moieties of the gelatin molecule. The resulting beadlets are water-insoluble and exhibit increased stability to the stresses of feed pelleting. The cross-linking process utilizes the ingredients employed in making the beadlet and does not require addition of a cross-linking reagent or additive to the composition.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,794 discloses another form of beadlets that can be adapted for use herein as an additive for poultry feed. Thus, beadlets having diameters of about 30 to about 55 microns are prepared by spraying a molten solution of a desired amount of carotenoid(s); i.e., zeaxanthin, a mixture of zeaxanthin and lutein, or other carotenoid mixture described herein, in hydrogenated vegetable oil such as hydrogenated cotton seed oil, wheat-germ oil, safflower oil, soybean oil and the like, that also can contain mono- and diglycerides such as those prepared from hydrogenated soybean mono- and diglycerides, cottonseed mono- and diglycerides and the like, as well as citric acid and 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (BHT) as antioxidants. Other antioxidants such as ethoxiquin, vitamin E and the like can also be used, as is well known. The molten mixture is sprayed at a temperature of about 160° F. (about 70° C.) into a cyclonic airstream of a spray chiller such as available from Niro, Inc., Columbia, Md. to produce the beadlets that solidify on cooling. The cooled beadlets are dusted with an anticaking agent such as fumed silica, calcium phosphate, powdered starch or cellulose as are well known to form the beadlets that are preferably added to the feed as supplement. An exemplary beadlet contains about 10 to about 100 milligrams of zeaxanthin per gram (mg/g) and preferably at about 10 to about 50 mg/g.

Animal feeds to which a contemplated zeaxanthin or zeaxanthin-lutein mixture are added are well known in the art. The above-noted U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,849,345, 5,695,794, 5,605,699 and 5,043,170 provide exemplary diets that are particularly useful for poultry. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,935,624 and 2,918,370 provide further illustrative poultry diets.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,258,189 teaches the addition of β-carotene to a ready to eat cereal product for humans in which the β-carotene is admixed with a cooked cereal product dispersed in a vegetable oil or in dry form. Zeaxanthin or a mixture of zeaxanthin and lutein as discussed elsewhere herein can be used at a desired level in place of β-carotene in a similar food product.

Another composition suitable for use as a food or feed supplement comprises a mixture of zeaxanthin and lutein dissolved or dispersed in a comestible medium, wherein the zeaxanthin ratio present is at a greater than about 1:10, preferably greater than about 2:10, and up to about 1.0. This composition contains saponified xanthophylls that are free zeaxanthin and lutein as compared to the esters that are present in a marigold oleoresin.

Methods are well known for saponifiying marigold oleoresins to provide free xanthophylls. See, for example, Tyczkowski et al., Poultry Sci. 70(3): 651-654, 1991; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,714, that lutein was crystallized from the saponified marigold oleoresin by the addition of organic solvents.

In addition, Ausich et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,564 teaches the production of crystalline lutein from a marigold oleoresin by admixing the oleoresin with a composition containing propylene glycol and an aqueous alkali, preferably potassium hydroxide, to form a reaction mixture of which oleoresin and propylene glycol together constitute at least 75 weight percent. The reaction mixture so formed is maintained at a temperature of about 65° C. to about 80° C. for a time period (typically at least 3 hours) sufficient to saponify the xanthophyll ester and form a saponified reaction mixture that contains free xanthophyll in the form of crystals. The saponified extract is admixed with a diluting amount of water to dissolve the water-soluble impurities and reduce the viscosity of the reaction mixture. The diluted admixture is gently admixed until homogeneous and then filtered to collect the xanthophyll crystals. The collected xanthophyll crystals are washed with warm water, and dried. No organic solvent other than propylene glycol is used in the isolation and purification of the xanthophyll from the xanthophyll ester-containing oleoresin. The dried xanthophyll crystals so formed are typically admixed with a comestible medium such as the triglyceride discussed above. The xanthophyll content of the admixture is typically about 0.1 to about 35 percent by weight, and preferably about one to about ten percent by weight.

Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can, using the preceding description, utilize the present invention to its fullest extent. The following preferred specific embodiments are, therefore, to be construed as merely illustrative, and not limiting of the remainder of the disclosure in any way whatsoever.

EXAMPLE 1 EMS Treatment of Tagetes erecta ‘Scarletade’

Seeds of Tagetes erecta xanthophyll marigold denominated ‘Scarletade’ (commercially available from PanAmerican Seed Co. 622 Town Road, West Chicago, Ill. 60185) were treated with ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS, commercially available from Sigma Chemical Co., St. Louis, Mo. 63178). Approximately 2,500 seeds were added to 400 ml of 0.4% (v/v) or 0.8% (v/v) EMS and were stirred gently for eight hours at ambient temperature. During a four-hour period following the EMS treatment, the seeds were washed sixteen times, each wash using continuous stirring with 400 ml distilled water. The treated seeds, identified as M₁ seeds, were then sown in trays containing soilless potting mix.

After several weeks, the seedlings were transplanted into pots containing soilless potting mix and maintained in the greenhouse. Flowers produced by those plants were naturally self-pollinated. The resulting seeds, identified as M₂ seeds, were harvested from approximately 2,300 plants. Of these 2,300 plants, approximately 1,500 were grown from seeds treated with 0.4% EMS and approximately 800 were grown from seeds treated with 0.8% EMS. To facilitate identification of mutant plants, the M₂ seeds from each of 50 M₁ plants were combined into one lot, resulting in a total of 47 seed lots. During the summer of the year 2000, 500 seeds from each of the 47 lots were sown and the resulting plants were field-grown at PanAmerican Seed Co. in Santa Paula, Calif. 93060.

EXAMPLE 2 HPLC Screening of EMS-Treated Tagetes erecta ‘Scarletade’

EMS-treated ‘Scarletade’ plants were field-grown at PanAmerican Seed Co. in Santa Paula, Calif. 93060, and were screened by HPLC for altered zeaxanthin ratio. Flowers approximately 98% fully opened were selected for analysis. From each flower, one petal was removed one-third of the distance from the flower center and placed in a 3.5″×0.75″ glass vial containing approximately 5 grams of glass beads. Vials were packaged with dry ice until stored at −80° C.

For analysis, solvent delivery and aliquot removal were accomplished with a robotic system comprising a single injector valve Gilson 232XL and a 402 2S1V diluter [Gilson, Inc. USA, 3000 W. Beltline Highway, Middleton, Wis.]. For saponification, 3 ml of 50% potassium hydroxide hydro-ethanolic solution (4 water:1 ethanol) was added to each vial, followed by the addition of 3 ml of octanol. The saponification treatment was conducted at room temperature with vials maintained on an IKA HS 501 horizontal shaker [Labworld-online, Inc. Wilmington, N.C.] for fifteen hours at 250 movements/minute, followed by a stationary phase of approximately one hour.

Following saponification, the supernatant was diluted with 0.9 ml of methanol. The addition of methanol was conducted under pressure to ensure sample homogeneity. Using a 0.25 ml syringe, a 0.1 ml aliquot was removed and transferred to HPLC vials for analysis.

For HPLC analysis, a Hewlett Packard 1100 HPLC, complete with a quaternary pump, vacuum degassing system, six-way injection valve, temperature regulated autosampler, column oven and Photodiode Array detector was used [Agilent Technologies available through Ultra Scientific Inc., 250 Smith Street, North Kingstown, R.I.]. The column was a Waters YMC 30, 5-micron, 4.6×250 mm with a guard column of the same material [Waters, 34 Maple Street, Milford, Mass.]. The solvents for the mobile phase were 81 methanol:4 water:15 tetrahydrofuran (THF) stabilized with 0.2% BHT (2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol). Injections were 20 μl. Separation was isocratic at 30° C. with a flow rate of 1.7 ml/minute. The peak responses were measured by absorbance at 447 nm.

Using this protocol, the results from the first 2,546 samples were statistically analyzed to establish average values for lutein and zeaxanthin content. Because this was a semi-quantitative analytical screen, peak area values were used. To identify a mutant having a higher than average lutein and/or zeaxanthin concentration, a value of three standard deviations greater than the average was calculated. The calculated peak area means, standard deviations and zeaxanthin ratios are shown in Table 1, below.

TABLE 1 Lutein and Zeaxanthin Confidence Interval Calculations Peak Area Peak Area Statistic Lutein Zeaxanthin Ratio (%) Mean 775.0 41.6 5.03 Standard 263.2 16.4 0.71 deviation (sd) Mean + 3 sd 1564.6 90.9 7.16

Based on the above values, samples were selected having lutein peak areas greater than 1565 and/or zeaxanthin peak areas greater than 91. Samples were also selected only for high lutein peak area, and for zeaxanthin ratios greater than 10 percent. A total of 88 mutants were identified from 21,754 assayed samples using these selection parameters. The total number of mutants resulting from each EMS seed treatment is shown in Table 2, below.

TABLE 2 Correlation of ‘Scarletade’ Mutants to EMS Treatment Selection 0.4% EMS 0.8% EMS Total Parameter Treatment Treatment Plants Zeaxanthin 10 13 23 Ratio > 10% Lutein > 1566 and 18 10 28 Zeaxanthin > 91 Lutein > 1566 and 20 7 27 Zeaxanthin < 91 Lutein < 1566 and 7 3 10 Zeaxanthin > 91

More specific results of those assays as to relative levels of lutein and zeaxanthin are shown in Table 3, below.

TABLE 3 Identified ‘Scarletade’ Mutants Plant Lutein Zeaxanthin Percent Percent Identifier Area Area Zeaxanthin EMS Used 124-257 2.115 55.635 96.34 0.4 119-494 9.254 131.036 93.40 0.8 112-263 8.095 35.273 81.33 0.4 118-036 11.441 31.691 73.47 0.8 088-452 2.94 6.689 69.47 0.4 118-035 11.289 23.951 67.97 0.8 114-334 58.24 97.968 62.72 0.4 117-185 39.002 44.027 53.03 0.8 108-108 13.424 10.155 43.07 0.4 088-425 8.959 4.394 32.91 0.4 094-238 7.285 3.063 29.60 0.4 110-308 46.753 14.248 23.36 0.4 132-346 31.036 8.856 22.20 0.8 100-334 282.987 54.298 16.10 0.8 101-331 246.402 46.467 15.87 0.8 100-198 119.381 21.449 15.23 0.8 101-190 139.027 23.125 14.26 0.8 114-315 351.524 56.898 13.93 0.4 100-470 189.703 27.743 12.76 0.8 117-348 369.903 43.315 10.48 0.8 132-266 374.096 43.8 10.48 0.8 123-310 60.743 6.818 10.09 0.4 116-106 453.538 50.287 9.98 0.8

About 21,700 plants exhibited typical zeaxanthin ratios of about 4 to about 7 percent (about 1:25 to about 1:15). The above data illustrate the relative rarity of the mutations contemplated, as well as the almost equal number of plants that exhibit reduced zeaxanthin levels. The data also do not show a preference for the use of one level of mutagen versus the other used here.

EXAMPLE 3 EMS Treatment of Tagetes erecta 13819

Seeds of Tagetes erecta xanthophyll marigold named 13819(a proprietary breeding selection of PanAmerican Seed Co. 622 Town Road, West Chicago, Ill. 60185) were treated with ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS, commercially available from Sigma Chemical Co. St. Louis, Mo. 63178). Approximately, 7,000 seeds were added to 600 ml of 0.2% (v/v) or 0.4% (v/v) EMS and stirred gently for eight hours at ambient temperature. During a four-hour period following the EMS treatment, the seeds were washed sixteen times, each wash using continuous stirring with 600 ml distilled water.

The treated seeds, identified as M₁ seeds, were then sown in trays containing soilless potting mix. After three to four weeks, the seedlings were transplanted into the field. Flowers produced by these plants were bagged to prevent cross-pollination, and were permitted to spontaneously self-pollinate. The resulting seeds, identified as M₂ seeds, were harvested from approximately 2,391 plants. Of these plants, approximately 951 were grown from seeds treated with 0.2% EMS and approximately 1,440 were grown from seeds treated with 0.4% EMS.

To facilitate identification of mutant plants, the M₂ seeds from each of 50 plants were combined into one lot. This grouping resulted in a total of 48 seed lots. From late October through mid-November of the year 2000, 1000 seeds from each of 15 lots of the 0.4% EMS treatment were sown and 700 plants of each lot were greenhouse-grown at Seaview Nursery in El Rio, Calif. 93060. In addition, 1,500 seeds from all of the 48 lots were sown in late October of the year 2000, and 765 plants from each of the lots were field-grown at Semillas Pan American Chile LTDA, in Pichidegua, Chile.

EXAMPLE 4 HPLC Screening of EMS-Treated Tagetes erecta 13819

EMS-treated 13819 M₂ plants were greenhouse-grown at Seaview Nursery in El Rio, Calif. 93060 and field-grown at Semillas PanAmerican Chile LTDA, in Pichidegua, Chile, and were screened for altered zeaxanthin ratio. Flowers approximately 98% fully opened were selected for analysis. From these flowers, petals were removed one-third of the distance from the flower center. Approximately 100 mg of petal tissue was placed in plastic bags and stored frozen until analysis. Dry weight was determined for two petals that were placed in 3.5″×0.75″ glass vials containing approximately 5 grams of glass beads.

For analysis, solvent delivery and aliquot removal were accomplished with a robotic system comprising a single injector valve Gilson 232XL and a 402 2SlV diluter. For saponification, 3 ml of 50% potassium hydroxide hydro-ethanolic solution (4 water:1 ethanol) was added to each vial, followed by the addition of 3 ml octanol. The saponification treatment was conducted at room temperature with vials maintained on an IKA HS 501 horizontal shaker for fifteen hours at 250 movements per minute followed by a stationary phase of approximately one hour.

Following saponification, the supernatant was diluted with 0.9 ml of methanol. The addition of methanol was conducted under pressure to ensure sample homogeneity. Using a 0.25 ml syringe, a 0.1 ml aliquot was removed and transferred to HPLC vials for analysis.

For HPLC analysis, a Hewlett Packard 1100 complete with a quaternary pump, vacuum degassing system, six-way injection valve, temperature regulated autosampler, column oven and Photodiode Array detector was used. The column was a Waters YMC 30, 5-micron, 4.6×250 mm with a guard column of the same material. Standards were obtained from DHI-Water & Environment, DK-2970 Horsholm, Denmark and Sigma Chemical Co., St. Louis, Mo. 63178. The solvents for the mobile phase were 81 methanol:4 water:15 tetrahydrofuran stabilized with 0.2% BHT. Injections were 20 μl. Separation was isocratic at 30° C. with a flow rate of 1.7 ml/minute. The peak responses were measured at 447 nm.

Using this protocol, the results from the first 507 samples were statistically analyzed to establish average values for lutein and zeaxanthin content. To identify a mutant having a higher or lower than average lutein and zeaxanthin concentration, a value of three standard deviations greater than or less than the average was calculated. The calculated means, standard deviations and zeaxanthin ratios are shown in Table 4, below.

TABLE 4 Lutein and Zeaxanthin Confidence Interval Calculations Lutein Lutein + mg/g Zeaxanthin Zeaxanthin Fresh mg/g Fresh mg/g Fresh Statistic Weight Weight Weight Ratio (%) Mean 0.64 0.04 0.68 5.98 Standard 0.14 0.01 0.147 1.1 deviation Mean + 1.06 0.07 1.12 9.28 3 sd Mean − 0.22 0.007 0.24 2.68 3 sd

Based on the above values, samples were selected having zeaxanthin ratios greater than 10 percent, combined lutein and zeaxanthin content greater than 1.12 mg/g fresh weight and combined lutein and zeaxanthin content less than 0.24 mg/g fresh weight. A total of 347 mutants were identified having a sum of lutein plus zeaxanthin greater than 1.12 mg/g, and 43 mutants having a zeaxanthin ratio greater than 10 percent were identified from 8192 samples using these selection parameters. The total number of mutants resulting from each EMS seed treatment is shown in Table 5, below.

TABLE 5 Correlation of 13819 Mutants to EMS Treatment 0.2% EMS 0.4% EMS Total Selection Parameter Treatment Treatment Plants Zeaxanthin 2 41 43 Ratio > 10% Lutein + 6 341 347 Zeaxanthin > 1.12 mg/g dry weight Lutein + 2 175 177 Zeaxanthin < 0.24 mg/g dry weight

Of the mutants having a zeaxanthin ratio greater than about 10 percent zeaxanthin, about 47 percent had between 10 and under 13 percent, whereas 53 percent exhibited 13 percent or greater.

EXAMPLE 5 Carotenoid Composition in Petals of Select Marigolds

Carotenoid compositions were determined for ‘Scarletade’ wild-type and mutant samples selected from those identified in the screening procedure described in Example 2. Petal samples were stored in a −80° C. freezer until mutants were identified. Samples were lyophilized, and the dried tissue was stored under argon at −80° C. until ready for analysis.

Extraction procedures were performed under red light. Dried petals were ground to pass through a No. 40 sieve mesh size. A ground sample was accurately weighed and transferred into a 100 ml red volumetric flask. To the sample, 500 microliters (μl) of H₂O were added, and the mixture was swirled for 1 minute. Thirty ml of extractant solvent (10 ml hexane+7 ml acetone+6 ml absolute alcohol+7 ml toluene) were added, and the flask was shaken at 160 rpm for 10 minutes.

For saponification, 2 ml of 40% methanolic KOH were added into the flask, which was then swirled for one minute. The flask was placed in a 56° C. H₂O bath for 20 minutes. An air condenser was attached to prevent loss of solvent. The sample was cooled in the dark for one hour with the condenser attached. After cooling, 30 ml of hexane were added, and the flask was shaken at 160 rpm for 10 minutes.

The shaken sample was diluted to volume (100 ml) with 10% sodium sulfate solution and shaken vigorously for one minute. The sample remained in the dark for at least 30 minutes. A 35 ml aliquot was removed from the approximately 50 ml upper phase, and transferred to a sample cup. An additional 30 ml of hexane were added into the flask that was then shaken at 160 rpm for 10 minutes. After approximately one hour, the upper phases were combined. For HPLC analysis, 10 ml aliquots were dried under nitrogen and stored under argon at −80° C.

HPLC equipment comprised an Alliance 2690 equipped with a refrigerated autosampler, column heater and a Waters Photodiode Array 996 detector (Waters Corp., 34 Maple Street Milford, Mass. 01757). Separation was obtained with a YMC C₃₀ column, 3 μm, 2.0×150 mm with a guard column of the same material. Standards were obtained from ICC Indofine Chemicals Somerville, N.J. 088876 and from DHI-Water & Environment, DK-2970 Horsholm, Denmark.

The dried mutant samples were resuspended in tetrahydrofuran and methanol to a total volume of 200 μl and filtered, whereas the control was not additionally concentrated. Carotenoids were separated using a gradient method. Initial gradient conditions were 90% methanol:5% water:5% methyl tert-butyl ether at a flow rate of 0.4 milliliters per minute (ml/min). From zero to 15 minutes, the mobile phase was changed from the initial conditions to 80 methanol: 5 water: 15 methyl tert-butyl ether, and from 15 to 60 minutes to 20 methanol: 5 water: 75 methyl tert-butyl ether. For the following 10 minutes, the mobile phase was returned to the initial conditions and the column equilibrated for an additional 10 minutes. The column temperature was maintained at 27° C. and the flow rate was 0.4 ml/minute. Injections were 10 μl. The majority of peak responses were measured at 450 nm and additional areas added from 286, 348, 400 and 472 nm extracted channels.

Values for carotenoid profiles of selected mutants are indicated in Tables 6a, 6b and 6c, below, using peak area as percent of the total area. Indicated compound identifications are based on spectra extracted and maximal absorbance in ethanol (lambda maxima; ETOH) obtained for major peaks in each chromatogram, some of which were verified by retention times of known standards. Values combine suspected isomers of the same compounds. Some compounds may contain minor impurities. Included in the Table are values for yellow colored American marigolds (yellow marigold) noted in Quackenbush et al., J. Assoc. Off. Anal. Chem., 55(3):617-621 (1972). Single entries are used in Tables 6a-6c for neoxanthin/violaxanthin and chrysanthemaxanthin/flavoxanthin compound pairs that could not be separated by the procedure used here.

TABLE 6a Relative Percent Distribution of Carotenoids in Petals of Tagetes erecta and Mutants Wave- length Marigold Selections in EtOH Yellow Carotenoid (nm) Marigold ‘Scarletade’ 13819 117-185 124-257 119-494 112-263 118-035 088-425 325-444 Phytoene 276, 286, 2.4 0.3 0.3 6.8 7.0 1.0 11.0 12.3 34.3 30.9 297 Phytofluene 331, 348, 2.6 0.5 0.4 4.0 4.2 0.9 7.5 7.4 17.8 13.3 (isomers) 367 ζ-Carotene 377, 399, nf*  <0.1 <0.1 5.6 5.3 1.3 6.9 6.8 18.2 17.1 (cis/trans 425 isomers) Neurosporene 416, 440, nr** <0.1 <0.1 0.1 0.2 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 3.5 3.5 470 Lycopene 447, 472, nr   <0.1 <0.1 0.5 1.3 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 1.0 2.8 504 α-Carotene 423, 444, 0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 0.8 1.2 473 β-Carotene 425, 451, 0.5 <0.1 <0.1 4.4 6.8 2.3 0.6 0.3 2.3 4.8 478 Neoxanthin 415, 439, 0.8 467 Violaxanthin 419, 440, nr   1.5 4.1 13.3 12.8 16.7 4.3 3.5 0.7 1.1 470 Anthera- 422, 444, 0.1 3.1 5.5 12.5 14.4 19.2 4.1 4.5 0.9 1.5 xanthin 472 Lutein 420, 445, 72.3 84.9 81.7 13.3 1.3 <0.1 0.6 7.1 2.0 4.9 475 Zeaxanthin 428, 450, 16.4 4.7 5.9 21.3 30.6 35.7 16.5 18.2 2.0 4.0 478 α-Cryptoxanthin 421, 446, 0.8 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 32.2 26.9 <0.1 0.2 475 β-Cryptoxanthin 428, 450, 0.5 <0.1 <0.1 0.5 0.6 0.8 0.2 0.4 1.9 1.8 478 β-Zeacarotene 406, 428, 0.5 not identified 454 Chrysanthema- 400, 421, 0.8 xanthin 448 Flavoxanthin 400, 421, 1.3 <0.1 <0.1 2.3 1.5 4.5 0.8 0.5 0.2 0.2 448 Auroxanthin 380, 401, 0.1 not identified 426 Other compounds that 0.8 5.0 2.1 15.3 14.0 17.6 15.1 12.0 14.3 12.7 show absorbance at 450 nm *nf = not found **nr = not reported

TABLE 6b Relative Percent Distribution of Carotenoids in Petals of Tagetes erecta and Mutants Wave- length Marigold Selections in EtOH Yellow Carotenoid (nm) Marigold ‘Scarletade’ 13819 100-198 100-334 100-470 101-190 114-315 Phytoene 276, 286, 2.4 0.3 0.3 4.8 3.9 6.1 3.4 5.2 (isomers) 297 Phytofluene 331, 348, 2.6 0.5 0.4 3.2 3.2 3.8 3.2 3.3 (isomers) 367 ζ-carotene 377, 399, nf*  <0.1 <0.1 4.8 4.0 4.4 3.6 3.2 (cis/trans 425 isomers) Neurosporene 416, 440, nr** <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 470 Lycopene 447, 472, nr   <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 504 α-Carotene 423, 444, 0.1 <0.1 <0.1 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.4 0.2 473 β-Carotene 425, 451, 0.5 <0.1 <0.1 0.8 0.7 0.5 0.8 0.5 478 Neoxanthin 415, 439, 0.8 1.5 4.1 <0.2 0.3 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 467 Violaxanthin 419, 440, nr   470 Anthera- 422, 444, 0.1 3.1 5.5 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 xanthin 472 Lutein 420, 445, 72.3 84.9 81.7 68.0 70.7 67.5 71.1 71.6 475 Zeaxanthin 428, 450, 16.4 4.7 5.9 14.8 13.4 13.1 13.6 12.3 478 α-Cryptoxanthin 421, 446, 0.8 <0.1 <0.1 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.6 0.4 475 δ-Carotene 431, 456, nr   <0.1 <0.1 0.5 0.2 0.8 0.4 0.5 489 β-Crypto- 428, 450, 0.5 <0.1 <0.1 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 xanthin 478 β-Zeacarotene 406, 428, 0.5 Not identified 454 Chrysanthema- 400, 421, 0.8 <0.1 <0.1 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 xanthin 448 Flavoxanthin 400, 421, 1.3 448 Auroxanthin 380, 401, 0.1 Not identified 426 Other compounds that 0.8 5.0 2.1 2.1 2.6 2.9 2.8 2.7 show absorbance at 450 nm *nf = not found **nr = not reported

TABLE 6c Relative Percent Distribution of Carotenoids in Petals of Tagetes erecta and Mutants Wave- length Marigold Selections in EtOH Yellow Carotenoid (nm) Marigold ‘Scarletade’ 13819 126-415 098-240 098-394 115-004 Phytoene 276, 286, 2.4 0.3 0.3 11.8 10.0 8.6 13.0 (isomers) 297 Phytofluene 331, 348, 2.6 0.5 0.4 9.1 5.8 5.4 9.6 (isomers) 367 ζ-Carotene 377, 399, nf*  <0.1 <0.1 5.0 3.6 3.5 10.3 (cis/trans 425 isomers) Neurosporene 416, 440, nr** <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 470 Lycopene 447, 472, nr   <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 504 α-Carotene 423, 444, nr   <0.1 <0.1 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.6 473 β-Carotene 425, 451, 0.5 <0.1 <0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 <0.1 478 Neoxanthin 415, 439, 0.8 1.5 4.1 0.3 0.4 0.4 <0.1 467 Violaxanthin 419, 440, nr   470 Anthera- 422, 444, 0.1 3.1 5.5 1.7 1.9 2.2 1.9 xanthin 472 Lutein 420, 445, 72.3 84.9 81.7 61.7 70.1 71.0 52.3 475 Zeaxanthin 428, 450, 16.4 4.7 5.9 2.5 2.8 3.4 1.8 478 α-Crypto- 421, 446, 0.8 <0.1 <0.1 0.7 0.6 0.4 0.2 xanthin 475 δ-Carotene 431, 456, nr   <0.1 <0.1 1.6 0.4 0.3 5.2 489 β-Cryptoxanthin 428, 450, 0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 478 β-Zeacarotene 406, 428, 0.5 Not identified 454 Chrysanthema- 400, 421, 0.8 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 0.1 0.1 <0.1 xanthin 448 Flavoxanthin 400, 421, 1.4 448 Auroxanthin 380, 401, 0.1 Not identified 426 Other compounds that 0.8 5.0 2.1 4.9 3.7 4.19 4.8 show absorbance at 450 nm *nf = not found **nr = not reported

EXAMPLE 6 Carotenoid Composition in Leaves of Select Marigolds

Leaves of several marigold plants were assayed for the relative concentration of colored carotenoids present. Leaves from ‘Scarletade’ and 13819 were used as controls for comparison to leaves from mutant plants. Assays were conducted as in Example 5 and are shown in Tables 7a and 7b, below, where single entries are used for neoxanthin/violaxanthin and chrysanthemaxanthin/flavoxanthin compound pairs that could not be separated. Data in Tables 7a and 7b were collected from different groups of plants grown under different conditions.

TABLE 7a Relative Percent Distribution of Carotenoids in Leaves of Tagetes erecta and Mutants Wave- length in Marigold Selections Carotenoid EtOH (nm) ‘Scarletade’ 13819 124-257 119-494 117-185 086-013 Phytoene 276, 286, 0.1 0.4 0.5 0.2 0.2 0.5 297 Neoxanthin 415, 439, 9.2 17.6 36.3 22.7 26.8 11.6 467 Violaxanthin 419, 440, 470 Antheraxanthin 422, 444, 2.8 4.3 8.4 7.7 9.1 2.9 472 Lutein 420, 445, 44.3 37.8 0.5 <0.1 1.6 34.0 475 Zeaxanthin 428, 450, 6.6 3.8 4.6 27.5 10.6 4.1 478 β-Carotene 425, 451, 22.6 26.5 34.1 25.0 32.7 35.8 478 α-Carotene 423, 444, 0.5 0.3 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 0.2 473 Chrysanthema- 400, 421, 1.1 1.0 0.9 4.1 3.2 0.5 xanthin 448 Flavoxanthin 400, 421, 448 Other compounds that 12.8 8.3 14.7 12.7 15.8 10.4 show absorbance at 450 nm

TABLE 7b Relative Percent Distribution of Carotenoids in Leaves of Tagetes erecta and Mutants Wave- length in Marigold Selections Carotenoid EtOH (nm) ‘Scarletade’ 100-198 100-334 100-470 101-190 114-315 Phytoene 276, 286, Inadequate Peak Separation 297 Neoxanthin 415, 439, 20.4 <0.1 0.3 <0.1 3.1 <0.1 467 Violaxanthin 419, 440, 470 Antheraxanthin 422, 444, 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.6 5.4 1.1 472 Lutein 420, 445, 48.3 24.7 27.6 28.8 27.7 24.3 475 Zeaxanthin 428, 450, 0.4 46.3 43.1 44.0 32.3 48.2 478 β-Carotene 425, 451, 15.9 14.5 17.3 14.5 19.6 13.8 478 α-Carotene 423, 444, <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 473 Chrysanthema- 400, 421, 1.0 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 xanthin 448 Flavoxanthin 400, 421, 448 β-Cryptoxanthin 428, 450, 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.6 0.3 0.9 478 Other compounds that show 12.1 12.4 9.5 10.5 11.5 11.7 absorbance at 450 nm

Each of the patents and articles cited herein is incorporated by reference. The use of the article “a” or “an” is intended to include one or more.

The foregoing description and the examples are intended as illustrative and are not to be taken as limiting. Still other variations within the spirit and scope of this invention are possible and will readily present themselves to those skilled in the art. 

What is claimed:
 1. Tagetes erecta flower petals, leaves or both flower petals and leaves that contain one or more of a zeaxanthin ratio greater than about 1:10, a neoxanthin plus violaxanthin ratio of about 1:5 (0.2) to about 1:1, a β-carotene ratio of about 0.05 to about 0.9 for flower petals and about one for leaves, an α-cryptoxanthin ratio of about 0.25 to about 0.9, a phytoene ratio of about 0.3 to about 1 or a phytofluene ratio of about 0.2 to about 1, wherein the xanthophylls are assayed as alcohols, the plant that produced said petals or leaves having petals that contain a measurable amount of zeta-carotene.
 2. The Tagetes erecta flower petals, leaves or both flower petals and leaves according to claim 1 wherein the zeaxanthin ratio is greater than about 1:10.
 3. The Tagetes erecta flower petals, leaves or both flower petals and leaves according to claim 2 wherein said flower petals have a xanthophyll content of about 4 to about 25 mg/g dry weight.
 4. The Tagetes erecta flower petals, leaves or both flower petals and leaves according to claim 1 wherein leaves exhibit said zeaxanthin ratio.
 5. The Tagetes erecta flower petals, leaves or both flower petals and leaves according to claim 4 wherein said leaves have a xanthophyll content of about 0.2 to about 1.25 mg/g dry weight.
 6. The Tagetes erecta flower petals, leaves or both flower petals and leaves according to claim 1 wherein flower petals exhibit an enhanced zeaxanthin ratio.
 7. The Tagetes erecta flower petals according to claim 6 wherein zeaxanthin ratio is greater than about 2:10.
 8. Tagetes erecta flower petals that contain a ratio of zeaxanthin to zeaxanthin plus lutein of greater than about 2:10, said zeaxanthin and lutein being present in the petals as fatty acid esters that are assayed as alcohols after saponification.
 9. The Tagetes erecta flower petals according to claim 8 that are from a hybrid.
 10. The Tagetes erecta-flower petals according to claim 8 that are present in comminuted form.
 11. The Tagetes erecta-flower petals according to claim 8 that further exhibit at least one of a neoxanthin plus violaxanthin ratio of about 1:5 to about 1:1, a β-carotene ratio of about 0.05 to about 0.9 for flower petals and about one for leaves, an α-cryptoxanthin ratio of about 0.25 to about 0.9, a phytoene ratio of about 0.3 to about 1 or a phytofluene ratio of about 0.2 to about
 1. 12. The Tagetes erecta-flower petals according to claim 8 wherein zeaxanthin ratio is greater than about 3:10.
 13. A Tagetes erecta plant or regenerable portion thereof, whose flower petals, leaves or both flower petals and leaves contain one or more of a zeaxanthin ratio greater than about 1:10, neoxanthin plus violaxanthin ratio of about 1:5 to about 1:1, a β-carotene ratio of about 0.05 to about 0.9 for flower petals and about one for leaves, an α-cryptoxanthin ratio of about 0.25 to about 0.9, a phytoene ratio of about 0.3 to about 1 or a phytofluene ratio of about 0.2 to about 1, wherein the xanthophylls are assayed as alcohols, the plant that produced said petals or leaves having petals that contain a measurable amount of zeta-carotene.
 14. The Tagetes erecta plant or regenerable portion thereof according to claim 13 wherein the zeaxanthin ratio of the flower petals is greater than about 1:10.
 15. The Tagetes erecta plant or regenerable portion thereof according to claim 13 wherein said flower petals have a xanthophyll content of about 4 to about 25 mg/g dry weight.
 16. The Tagetes erecta plant or regenerable portion thereof according to claim 13 wherein leaves exhibit an enhanced zeaxanthin ratio.
 17. The Tagetes erecta plant or regenerable portion thereof according to claim 13 that further exhibits at least one of a neoxanthin plus violaxanthin ratio of about 1:5 to about 1:1, a β-carotene ratio of about 0.05 to about 0.9 for flower petals and about one for leaves, an α-cryptoxanthin ratio of about 0.25 to about 0.9, a phytoene ratio of about 0.3 to about 1 or a phytofluene ratio of about 0.2 to about 1, wherein the xanthophylls are assayed as alcohols.
 18. The Tagetes erecta plant or regenerable portion thereof according to claim 13 wherein the zeaxanthin ratio is greater than about 2:10.
 19. The Tagetes erecta plant or regenerable portion thereof according to claim 13 that is a hybrid.
 20. The Tagetes erecta plant or a regenerable portion thereof according to claim 13 wherein the regenerable portion is cells selected from the group consisting of embryos, meristems, pollen, leaves, anthers, roots, root tips, and flowers, or protoplasts or callus derived therefrom.
 21. A Tagetes erecta plant or regenerable portion thereof, whose flower petals, leaves or both flower petals and leaves contain a ratio of zeaxanthin to zeaxanthin plus lutein of greater than about 2:10, said zeaxanthin and lutein being present in the petals as fatty acid esters that are assayed as alcohols after saponification.
 22. The Tagetes erecta plant or regenerable portion thereof according to claim 21 whose flower petals, leaves or both flower petals and leaves further exhibits at least one of a neoxanthin plus violaxanthin ratio of about 1:5 to about 1:1, β-carotene ratio of about 0.05 to about 0.9 for flower petals and about one for leaves, an α-cryptoxanthin ratio of about 0.25 to about 0.9, a phytoene ratio of about 0.3 to about 1 or a phytofluene ratio of about 0.2 to about 1, wherein the xanthophylls are assayed as alcohols.
 23. The Tagetes erecta plant or regenerable portion thereof according to claim 22 whose flower petals, leaves or both flower petals and leaves exhibit a neoxanthin plus violaxanthin ratio of about 0.2 to about
 1. 24. The Tagetes erecta plant or regenerable portion thereof according to claim 22 whose flower petals exhibit a β-carotene ratio of about 0.05 to about 0.9.
 25. The Tagetes erecta plant or regenerable portion thereof according to claim 22 whose leaves exhibit a β-carotene ratio of about one.
 26. The Tagetes erecta plant or regenerable portion thereof according to claim 22 whose flower petals exhibit a ratio of α-cryptoxanthin to α-cryptoxanthin plus lutein when assayed as alcohols after saponification that is about 0.25 to about 0.9.
 27. The Tagetes erecta plant or regenerable portion thereof according to claim 22 whose flower petals exhibit a phytoene ratio of about 0.3 to about
 1. 28. The Tagetes erecta plant or regenerable portion thereof according to claim 22 whose flower petals exhibit a phytofluene ratio of about 0.2 to about
 1. 29. A Tagetes erecta plant or regenerable portion thereof whose flower petals exhibit a ratio of α-cryptoxanthin to α-cryptoxanthin plus lutein when assayed as alcohols after saponification that is about 0.25 to about 0.9.
 30. Pollen of the Tagetes erecta plant of claim
 13. 31. An ovule of the Tagetes erecta plant of claim
 13. 32. A seed that on planting in a suitable environment and growth to maturity yields a Tagetes erecta plant according to claim
 13. 33. An oleoresin of a Tagetes erecta, having one or more of a zeaxanthin ratio greater than about 1:10, neoxanthin plus violaxanthin ratio of about 1:5 to about 1:1, a β-carotene ratio of about 0.05 to about 0.9 for flower petals and about one for leaves, an α-cryptoxanthin ratio of about 0.25 to about 0.9, a phytoene ratio of about 0.3 to about 1 or a phytofluene ratio of about 0.2 to about
 1. 34. The oleoresin according to claim 33 that contains free xanthophylls, carotenes and chlorophyll.
 35. The oleoresin according to claim 33 that contains xanthophyll esters, carotenes and is largely free of chlorophyll.
 36. Tagetes erecta flower petals that contain colored carotenoids comprised of about 20 to about 40 percent α-cryptoxanthin.
 37. The Tagetes erecta petals according to claim 36 wherein α-cryptoxanthin is the most abundant carotenoid present in the flower petals. 